9 Frame Film AnalysisThe Host

Setting/Location

• The opening begins with a long shot in space and gradually moves towards Earth. Meanwhile there is a voice over describing how Earth is at peace, however it has been invaded and occupied by another planet, which immediately relates to the sci-fi thriller genre.

Title (Font and Style)

• As the shot continues to gradually zoom into and pan around the Earth, the title ‘The Host’ appears over the Earth.

• The font and style is associated with the genre as it is minimal, simple and grey which is futuristic.

How Characters are introduced

• The main character is introduced immediately after the title appears with an extreme close up shot, showing fear in her eyes. As the voice over at the beginning introduced, the audience are aware at this point that she is hiding from the ‘invaders’.

Costume/Props

• The next character is introduced with a close up shot. She is wearing a white top with white long white trousers. This links with the genre as it suggests purity and is again, futuristic.

• A group of people dressed in all white surround the main character, attempting to calm her down.

Story and how the opening sets it up

• The next shot is of the main character running away from the group of people surrounding her, and then jumping out of a window. This suggests that she’d rather die than become what the ‘invaders’ are trying to make her. This creates an enigma for the audience as at this point, they are unaware of what that is.

Special effects• In the opening, special effects

are used on the ‘invaders’ eyes as they have been enhanced to appear a light blue. This makes it clear to the audience that they aren’t human and highlights the divide between the population of the Earth. Again, it is futuristic as no-one’s eyes are that colour.

• Finally, special effects are used at the end of the opening to show a ‘soul’ being placed into the main character. This is related to science-fiction as we are unable to do this. It also sets up the rest of the story for the film as the audience are left wondering what is going to happen to this character now that she has been converted.